Hard Target Reviews
Top Critic
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Though working on a Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle can be seen as a comedown for Woo, he rises to the occasion to create an often rousing entertainment that is almost inarguably Van Damme's best film to date.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
It's what Hollywood wanted Woo for: bigger, brighter explosions.
Presenting Mr. Van Damme as reverentially as Sergio Leone did the young Clint Eastwood, Mr. Woo displays a real aptitude for malignant mischief, which is this story's stock in trade.
TheMovieReport.com
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Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
San Francisco Examiner
It may once have been a second-rate "B" picture, but John Woo turns it into something better.
| Original Score: 3/5
Montreal Film Journal
Van Damme's kicks and flips never looked so cool.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/4
Even when the acting is hammy, notably Wilford Brimley's turn as Chance's Cajun uncle, Woo stages every fight with hypnotic grace.
Its characters are poorly-developed, the plot is the pinnacle of absurdity, and the acting, at best, is well over-the-top. Nevertheless, on the most basic, visceral level, the film succeeds.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
Austin Chronicle
It's a nice change of pace to see a strong, competent woman in a John Woo film. If you've never heard of the man, this is your chance to see what all the buzz is about.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3.5/5
A disappointing American debut of the Hong Kong cult director John Woo is a decent action vehicle by standards of its star Jean-Claude Van Damme but, hampered by a B script and flat characters, it doesn't bear Woo's auteurist signature and unique vision
Full Review
| Original Score: C+
Lawrence Journal-World
Hysterically inept attempt at action filmmaking
| Original Score: 1/5
EmanuelLevy.Com
A combo of American Honk Kong actioners that fails to show John Woo's distinctive talent
| Original Score: 2/5
